Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has directed its members in all federal health institutions nationwide to begun indefinite strike from today (midnight) following the federal government’s failure to implement agreements it signed with the unions.
The five health sector unions that make up JOHESU are Medical and Health Workers Unions of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAM), Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutes (NASU).
The unions also placed on red alert states and Local Government health institutions to continue sensitisation and mobilisation of members for possible entry, should government footdrags in attending to the demand of the members. It would be recalled that JOHESU had on September 30th, 2017 suspended a nationwide strike after signing a memorandum of terms of settlement which was to be implemented within five weeks. Speaking with journalists on the development, chairman of JOHESU, Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah said the issues are upward adjustment of CONHESS salary scale, arrears of skipping CONHESS 10, employment of additional health professionals, implementation of court judgement and upward review of retirement age from 60-65. He said it is disheartening that six months after suspending the action, Federal Government has not done anything tangible over the pending issues. “JOHESU, as a mature and responsible organisation, gave 21 days notice on 5th February, 2018, in the first instance, to enable the Federal Government do the needful.
At the expiration of the 21 days notice, the leadership of JOHESU reconvened to reppraise the situation on ground and noted the lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government towards the implementation of the Memorandum of Terms of Settlement signed on 30th September, 2017.
“Furtherance with our mantra as peace lovers who have the interest of the masses at heart, another 30 working days ultimatum was issued to the Federal Government 5th of March, 2018, to alert the Government of the impending nationwide strike. “Consequent upon this, JOHESU has no other choice than to proceed on an indefi nite nationwide strike as from midnight of Tuesday 17th April, 2018; when the 30 working days is expected to expire”. Josiah who is also the national president of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) further appeal to well meaning Nigerians to prevail on government to meet the demand of the unions.
